The government has partnered with Thai Airways to launch a plan connecting major cities to secondary cities, targeting Nakhon Si Thammarat, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Hua Hin, Phrae, and Roi Et to promote Thailand as a central hub for regional travel and tourism.
On 31 May 2026, Lalida Pertwivatana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed that under the leadership of Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the government is advancing policies to elevate Thailand as a “key regional travel destination” through integrated development of transportation and tourism infrastructure. Recently, Pattharaphong Pataraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, chaired a meeting with the Department of Airports (DOA), the Civil Aviation Training Center (CATC), Thai Airways Public Company Limited, and Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel to outline strategies. The goal is to increase flight routes and enhance connectivity from major cities to secondary cities to stimulate the national economy and tourism.
The Deputy Government Spokesperson added that Pattharaphong discussed with Thai Airways plans to add domestic flights to airports under the Department of Airports, such as Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Udon Thani, as well as to promote increased international flights to promising tourist provinces like Krabi, Surat Thani, and Hua Hin (Prachuap Khiri Khan) from key origin countries including Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong. This aims to facilitate travel for residents and tourists while promoting equitable regional income distribution.
Furthermore, the government is working closely with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to create new tourism routes linking major and secondary cities, aiming to increase both domestic and international visitors. They are also upgrading regional airports to serve as “Airports for Regional Development,” becoming vital mechanisms for local economic growth.
/ The seven targeted secondary provinces are Nakhon Si Thammarat, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Hua Hin (Prachuap Khiri Khan), Phrae, and Roi Et. Meanwhile, Pattharaphong has assigned all relevant agencies to urgently collaborate on joint planning and to accelerate development of airports under the Department of Airports to accommodate future growth in travel and tourism.
In addition, the meeting discussed developing aviation personnel, with the Civil Aviation Training Center preparing to support aviation students in line with Thai Airways’ pilot recruitment plan to train commercial pilots, ensuring long-term growth of Thailand’s aviation industry. Cooperation with Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel was also addressed to provide short-stay accommodations for passengers and airline staff who require overnight stays during travel.
The Deputy Government Spokesperson also said the Department of Airports confirmed readiness to support additional flights in terms of airport capacity, personnel, and local transport connections. Thai Airways is prepared to support aviation market expansion, especially promoting Krabi Airport as a key air travel hub for southern Thailand.
“The government aims to use air transportation as a crucial tool to drive the economy, tourism, and regional income distribution, while concretely elevating Thailand as a travel hub and a major regional destination,” he stated.